Dupree's coach talks about his star

Joker Phillips is a big fan of 6-foot-5, 230-pound body type players who can grow into multiple roles. In Alvin Dupree, that's exactly what Joker got for the Wildcats.

Joker Phillips is a big fan of 6-foot-5, 230-pound body type players who can grow into multiple roles. In Alvin Dupree, that's exactly what Joker got for the Wildcats.

Kentucky picked up commitment number 18 for the 2011 class with tight end/defensive end prospect Alvin Dupree. Dupree excelled on both sides of the ball for Wilkinson County High this season, according to his head coach, Jev Stewart.

"We played him at tight end and kind of like an h-back or wide receiver," said Stewart. "He was able to stretch the field for us and cause a lot of matchup problems for people. He caught the ball real well. He's a good blocker on the line too," he said.

And on the other side of the ball?

"On defense he played end. A lot of teams decided not to run his way. He played both ways for us and he rarely came off the field," continued Stewart.

Stewart is being recruited to UK as a tight end prospect who could split out wide and play some receiver as well, but some other schools look at him as a defensive end. But Stewart thinks that Dupree really wants to be on the offensive side of the ball.

"I think he wants to go offense. I think he can go either way," said Stewart. "I think there's a lot of upside to him. At the single A level, we have to share athletes. He's been playing basketball and football the whole time. Once he gets to Kentucky he'll be able to focus on just one sport and one side of the ball. He'll be able to improve more and more. There's just a lot of upside," Stewart finished.

Dupree visited Georgia Tech on Friday and Saturday before heading to Lexington to visit UK on Sunday and Monday. Dupree came away impressed with what he saw at UK.

"He really liked it. He enjoyed talking with the coaches. He hung out with the other players and enjoyed talking to them about how things are. He really enjoyed the campus," Stewart said.

Dupree indicated in another story that he is a soft-commit to UK and may consider other schools. South Carolina and Georgia Tech are still in pursuit, although South Carolina hasn't offered yet. But Stewart thinks recruiting is about over for Dupree.

"At this time, I don't' know (if he's solid) either way. I don't know if he's going to pursue anything else. I think this might be it," he said.

So what does UK get with Dupree if the commitment sticks?

"He's a great leader. We went to the state semi-finals not because of just his playing ability, but his leadership ability," finished Stewart.